Day Camp

[SFDC]

Hello Everyone, I'm looking for an opinion.

We have a new daycare opening in our area, but they are advertising as a Summer Daycamp and it seems they are hoping to take more than 5 children, as well as offer daycare services.

This is based in a residential home. Am I correct in my understanding that no matter what you call yourself, if your paid to watch children away from their home you fall under the day nurseries act and have the same limits etc.

They are advertising over 800 square feet and multiple "teachers" etc.

If we see that they are not going to do the right thing and follow the laws, should we report it?

[playfelt]

Before you report it as an issue. What about calling the ministry to ask for clarification and what they would need to have to be able to offer camp services. Then you would be better able to make your decision of whether it was legal or not.

[Suzie_Homemaker]

The regs vary from province to province.

Here, in PEI, day homes can be unregistered if they fit the exempted conditions. Exempt service is less than 5 kids inc our own until 12 year, school based BAS, summer camp where program only operates in summer for school age children.

Check our own regs and see if they doing anything wrong. Where are you?

[babydom]

Here no matter what u call yourself there is no more then FIVE allowed PER RESIDENT NOT ADULT. so u can only have five per house no matter if u have ten adults on site.

[Lee-Bee]

If they are looking for older kids then they are able to have more than 5 per home, no? If it is a summer camp then they would likely be looking for older school age kids.

[babydom]

Here the rule is all kids under age 13yrs count in numbers. So no still just five allowed in the house

[Suzie_Homemaker]

Here the rule is all kids under age 13yrs count in numbers. So no still just five allowed in the house

You keep say "here" in you answers. Where is "here"? That way person asking question know if her province or not.

[playfelt]

Ontario counts kids up to age 10 in numbers now and after proclamation of Bill 10 will count all kids up to age 13. Only allowed 5 per home regardless of number of adults on site.

[babydom]

Haha. Guess that'll help hey. Lol. Yes ont. But any new kids in after dec2014 have to go by the new rules. So for this summer it be any kids under 13yrs.

[torontokids]

Haha. Guess that'll help hey. Lol. Yes ont. But any new kids in after dec2014 have to go by the new rules. So for this summer it be any kids under 13yrs.

No, this summer it will be kids under 10 count in numbers. After proclamation (this fall) all these kids under 13 will count.

[SFDC]

We are in Ontario as well as alot of others here, This particular center is openly advertising multiple teachers and 10 camp spaces and 5+ daycare spots... I think as soon as they officially open and I learn their location I have no choice but to report it.

[CrazyEight]

Oh wow...yep, illegal, no question. To legally run a "day camp" you have to have a location big enough (ie, community center, sports complex, etc) and have to legally register as such. There's a whole bunch of hoops to jump through. If it's in a residential home, then they are classified as an unlicensed home daycare, no matter what they call themselves.

[bright sparks]

Oh wow...yep, illegal, no question. To legally run a "day camp" you have to have a location big enough (ie, community center, sports complex, etc) and have to legally register as such. There's a whole bunch of hoops to jump through. If it's in a residential home, then they are classified as an unlicensed home daycare, no matter what they call themselves.

Not necessarily. If the residential property is zoned, it can be used for a day camp. I've actually sent my kids to a place for the last few years. She can only have a certain amount of kids based on square footage, but ratios didn't apply the same as home daycare. She ran a craft company with a separate space from her home. She offers PA Day camps and then during school breaks. She is a registered company and I've actually enquired about the legality of her set up given our situation and she is totally legit. She is regularly inspected by the Region and has this displayed on site alongside her liability insurance, police check and CPR and First Aid certification. Also upon calling the region, she is on record with them as operating this business.

[torontokids]

I don't understand why you would wait until they are operating and then report them. If you suspect something may have potential for getting someone into trouble, why not just send a kind email and let her know the limits. You may find they are unaware (as a lot of people are) or that they are legal as Bright Sparks mentioned. I totally think we should report those that are disregarding the rules but if this person isn't even in operation yet, they haven't done anything wrong so why let them?